CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Coombe House
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control, including protective equipment, testing, cleanliness, visiting arrangements and plans for managing outbreaks.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control and support for visits and activities.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 12 February 2021. It looked at infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing visitors, shielding, social distancing, admissions, protective equipment, testing, cleanliness and possible outbreaks. The home had plans to isolate people with COVID-19 and had supplies of protective equipment.
People were supported to keep in touch with family and friends by telephone, the internet and visits arranged to reduce infection risk. Staff also provided activities such as crafts and quizzes.
The home was inspected but not rated. This report does not give an overall quality rating or ratings for the other four areas of care.
Keeping families in touch
The home supported telephone and internet contact and arranged in-person visits in ways intended to reduce infection risk.
“People were well supported by staff to have telephone and internet contact with their family and friends.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had suitable arrangements for visitors, testing, protective equipment, cleanliness and managing possible outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Activities and stimulation
People were offered activities including themed crafts and quizzes, and staff arranged visits from some of their pets.
“Staff ensured people's welfare had been maintained and they had sufficient stimulation, such as themed crafts, quizzes and staff had brought some of their own pets in to visit.” from the report
Clean environment
The building was clean and free from clutter, supporting the home's infection prevention arrangements.
“The building was clean and free from clutter.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visits arranged now, and what happens if infection levels or an outbreak affect visiting?
- 02How does the home isolate someone with COVID-19 or another infection?
- 03How often are residents and staff tested, and how are families told about positive results or outbreaks?
- 04What activities and stimulation are available for my relative, including if they cannot join group activities?
- 05What were the home's ratings or findings in areas not covered by this targeted inspection?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control under the Safe question; the service was inspected but not rated and the other areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 March 2021 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
What inspectors found, July 2018
The Coombe House was rated Outstanding; inspectors found kind, safe care with especially strong personal support and leadership.
This was an unannounced inspection on 24 and 30 April 2018. One inspector spoke with people living at the home, staff, relatives and visiting professionals. They also looked at care plans, health records, medicines, staff files, complaints and quality checks, and observed activities and lunch.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective and Caring. Inspectors found trained staff, suitable staffing levels, safe medicine systems, good cleanliness, up-to-date risk assessments and effective support with health, food and communication.
The home was rated Outstanding for Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found highly personalised care, quick responses to changing needs, creative activities, strong involvement of families and people, and very effective management. The overall rating improved from Good at the previous inspection in December 2015.
Personalised care
The home adapted care quickly to people's changing and complex needs. It also supported personal wishes, independence and important life experiences.
“The service was exceptionally responsive and strove to meet people's needs, wishes and lifestyle choices.” from the report
Activities and family contact
Activities were based on people's interests and past lives. The home also made unusual efforts to help people stay connected with relatives and take part in family occasions.
“The service was totally committed to assisting people to pursue their interests.” from the report
Consistent staffing
Staffing levels were reviewed and increased when needed. The report says most staff had worked at the home for more than five years, helping people know them well.
“People were supported by a strong staff team that was consistent.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
People and relatives described staff as caring and kind. Inspectors saw support being given sensitively, with attention to privacy and dignity.
“Staff are wonderful, they are very, very kind” from the report
Strong management
The management team was visible, experienced and open to suggestions. Regular audits and feedback were used to guide improvements.
“Quality audits were completed regularly and feedback sought from people, relatives, professionals and staff to shape how the service moving forward.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you assess and update my relative's care plan if their health or emotional needs changed?
- 02What staffing levels would support my relative, and how would you cover unexpected staff shortages?
- 03How would you support my relative's communication with family if they had communication difficulties?
- 04Which activities could be adapted to my relative's interests, past experiences and abilities?
- 05How would you involve me and other relatives in reviews and decisions, with my relative's agreement?
This was an unannounced inspection covering the overall quality of the home and all five CQC questions; the report says the previous ratings changed from Good in all areas to Outstanding overall, Responsive and Well-led. This explanation was written from the published report of 19 July 2018 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of The Coombe House
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- July 2018Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- March 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 30 December 2010.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
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42 live-in carers within about an hour of West Berkshire
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £1,020 to £1,260 a week. 36 can care for a couple. 14 years' experience on average.
“Titus has compassion, patience, a great sense of humour and a very professional attitude.”
“Barbara treated my mother-in-law with enormous love and compassion and provided an environment where she could feel safe and seen”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.